Energy Self-Sufficiency in Building through Photovoltaic Cells

Energy Self-Sufficiency in Building through Photovoltaic Cells

ABSTRACT

Solar energy is a way to acquire self-sufficiency of many residential buildings. The different

forms of solar cells made from different materials and in different ways are able to increase the

efficiency of the solar cells and allow solar energy to become more widespread. Due to the

possibility of a shortage of fossil fuels in the near future, solar power can serve as an integral

component in solving the energy crisis through developing energy self-sufficient buildings.

However, after researching many already published materials, the possibility of allowing the

world's buildings to become self-sufficient is not possible unless other solar cells become

affordable for the general public and more efficient.

INTRODUCTION

The world is entering an energy crisis that will require the need for new energy sources.

Some predict that at the current rate of consumption, the dominant energy source, fossil fuels,

will deplete by the year 2050 (EcoSystems 2005). As of 2001, the world consumed 426.1 billion

gigajoules; the United States consumed 102.1 billion gigajoules that same year, the most energy

consumption in a single country (see Table 1). Of the energy consumed in the United States,

only 0.063% was solar power (Energy Information Administration 2001). However, solar

energy has great potential. The sun radiates through the earth’s atmosphere enough energy in

one hour to power the earth for more than a year (Solarbuzz 2004).

Moreover, solar collectors can harness this energy in a clean and environmentally safe

method. Many collectors use photovoltaic cells, devices based on the photovoltaic effect, in

which solar energy changes to electri...

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